Malouda's high-flying Chelsea aim even higher

Florent Malouda says Chelsea FC are "really happy" with their flying start to the season but, ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League encounter with FC Spartak Moskva, the winger has stressed the importance of maintaining their impressive form.

Carlo Ancelotti's team are sitting pretty on top of the Premier League and have won all three Group F games to date. However, with second-placed Spartak three points behind the Blues and seeking revenge for their 2-0 defeat at the Luzhniki Stadion two weeks ago, Malouda is warning against complacency seeping into the hosts' camp.

"We want to finish first in the group," Malouda told UEFA.com. "It's important for the [round of 16] draw, and then we want to keep going because for confidence it's really important to get results. Even though we have won the first three matches we still have a lot of things to improve because we know in the knockout stage it's important to be ready and to work on every detail.

"I was really impressed by the quality of Spartak," he continued. "Technically they were really good, they have powerful strikers, and we had a few problems preserving a clean sheet. They will come here to get a result because it's so important for them, for second place. We have a good home record at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League so it's going to be an interesting game."

Though Malouda will miss the match with an ankle injury, the French international has flourished under the guidance of Ancelotti, becoming a major figure in last term's Premier League and FA Cup double success with 15 goals and as many assists in 50 appearances. He has already managed seven strikes this season in the English top flight, a return he attributes to his manager.

"Last year with Ancelotti we had a discussion about my position and then he changed, he made some adjustments," said the 30-year-old. "He has really helped me improve my statistics by scoring goals or providing assists. I have developed his calmness, the way he tries to be in control, analyse things and stay calm even under pressure.

"He is really close to the players, there is a lot of communication. He is working on the confidence, you can feel it when you speak with him. He trusts his players, he would do anything for his players, and we can feel that on the pitch. So we try to pay him back. He is a good technician and tactician. In terms of motivation, he has won so many titles, the Champions League as a player and coach. We are trying to learn every day from him."